5th December 25
Thinking about moving your child's education home, but feeling a bit overwhelmed by the unknowns? You're certainly not alone. More families than ever before are choosing to educate their children outside the traditional classroom, often known as school from home, and it's a completely legal and widely supported option in the UK.
We’ve put together answers to the most common questions we hear from parents and co-educators like you below, so you can make a more confident decision on whether homeschooling is the right avenue for you and your child.
What is homeschooling, and is it legal in the UK?
Homeschooling is simply educating your child yourself at home or in other settings outside of a registered school. It’s also often referred to as Elective Home Education or EHE.
The great news is that homeschooling is legal in the UK and has been for a long time. The law states that parents have a right to educate their children either by regular attendance at school or "otherwise". This "otherwise" option allows you to make a conscious choice to become your child’s co-educator.
So, can you homeschool in the UK?
You absolutely can, and it’s a protected parental right.
How do I start homeschooling, and what are the rules?
Starting this journey is often simpler than people expect. If your child is currently at a registered school, your first step is to formally notify the school's head teacher that you are withdrawing your child for the purpose of home education.
What are the rules for homeschooling in the UK?
The rules are surprisingly flexible. You are required to provide an efficient full-time education suitable to your child's age, ability, and aptitude. This means there is huge flexibility in how you deliver the lessons. However, you are not required to follow the National Curriculum.
Does Ofsted inspect homeschooling?
The short answer is no. Ofsted is responsible for inspecting registered schools, so they do not inspect home education.
How is homeschooling monitored?
Instead, monitoring is typically done by your Local Authority (LA). LAs have a duty to ensure children are receiving a suitable education. Homeschool monitoring usually involves a written report or a voluntary discussion with the LA representative about the educational provision you have in place.
With learndirect, we provide the fully structured, accredited homeschool curriculum and evidence needed to confidently satisfy your LA’s enquiries. This makes answering their questions much easier for you.
How does homeschooling work in practice?
In a day-to-day sense, this method works by replacing fixed school hours with a flexible schedule tailored to your child. They might be a morning person who works best before lunch, or someone who thrives with short, focused bursts of study. Our courses are fully online and self-paced, meaning the learning happens when and where your child is most productive. This flexible approach means you don't have to worry about traditional bell times.
How many hours a week should I homeschool?
This is one of the most common questions. The legal requirement is to provide full-time education, but this doesn't mean replicating the entire school day. Because you are providing one-to-one instruction, lessons are incredibly efficient. The amount of time truly needed often boils down to 2-3 hours of focused learning per day for younger children, and slightly more for those studying for GCSEs and A-Levels.
What about the cost? Can you get paid to homeschool?
Unfortunately, the answer to whether you can receive payment for home education is usually no. Most parents funding home education receive no direct financial support from the government. However, you gain control over the major educational expense.
How much does homeschooling cost?
This depends on the resources you choose. By partnering with learndirect, you get access to a full curriculum, dedicated tutors, and exam administration support for one comprehensive fee, making it a highly cost-effective alternative to private school tuition.
Ready to start your child’s tailored education?
Choosing to home educate is a positive decision that puts your child’s unique needs first, but you don’t have to take on the academic burden alone.
learndirect provides the full accredited academic framework you need, giving you peace of mind as the co-educator:
- Accredited courses: We offer full GCSE and A-Level qualifications from recognised UK boards.
- Expert support: Every student gets a dedicated, named tutor who provides one-to-one guidance and feedback on assignments.
- Simplified exams: We handle all the administration and logistics for exam entry.
Take the next step towards flexible, successful learning. Click below to download our FREE Homeschooling faculty brochure to explore our courses and start your child's education journey today.
